November 2020 archive

Duck for Thanksgiving

I wrote a short story with this title when I was in 8th grade. The main character’s mother was highly adventurous in the kitchen. This was in contrast to my mother, who had to feed three finicky kids and didn’t dare cook outside the lines. I don’t remember the full story, but the last sentence …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/27/duck-for-thanksgiving/

The Least Favorite Tradition

Thanksgiving is associated with a variety of traditions in our home. The bread- and pie-baking. The cranberry-orange relish getting ground up in the food processor at the crack of dawn. The cooking SOS phone calls from friends. My least favorite Thanksgiving tradition? The last-minute mad dash to the grocery store to pick up some essential …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/25/the-least-favorite-tradition/

Takeout Night

Family-owned restaurants are struggling to survive during the pandemic. Some restaurants in southern climates can serve customers at open-air tables that are socially distanced during winter months; however, this strategy won’t work in places like Seattle or Syracuse. These small businesses are among the highest risk to fail, and need our help. We’ve resolved to …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/21/takeout-night/

Two Hundred Fifty Thousand

The United States has surpassed 250,000 deaths directly attributable to COVID-19. This nation is number one in the number of cases and mortalities – unenviable statistics. While finger-pointing has gone on since the beginning of the pandemic, I believe blame needs to be placed where it properly belongs. I do not blame the virus. It’s …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/20/two-hundred-fifty-thousand/

On “Cooking”

You’ve probably seen the ads for home-delivered ingredients that you construct into dinner, or pre-packaged meals that you microwave or cook in a special oven. The concept of prefab meals is common in weight loss programs such as Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem. However, the new companies are targeted toward busy families. The selling points of …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/16/on-cooking/

Pick Up Your Masks

The Seattle area has a relatively high percentage of people who wear masks. Unfortunately, many folks who drop masks don’t pick them up. On my short bike ride yesterday, I noticed at least two discarded masks along the trail. In the words of the 1960s ad campaign, please don’t be a litterbug. Pick up your …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/15/pick-up-your-masks/

In Praise of the Living

Halloween is rapidly followed by All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead. While these days commemorate those who have gone before, I think we need to honor the living who are enduring much in these times. The “essential workers”: Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, grocery workers, retail pharmacists, farmers, farm workers, and food …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2020/11/01/in-praise-of-the-living/